Dozens of Portlanders gathered Wednesday evening in Pioneer Courthouse Square to advocate for the release of 276 Nigerian girls held hostage in the African country by Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

Erica Kessler and her 12-year-old daughter were among the crowd. They wore red, as organizers requested, and held a sign that said "Bring Back Our Girls."

"I'm here to show my daughter that it's right to stand up for what you believe in," Kessler said. "I want to show her that not all girls have the right to go to school and get an education like she does."

The abducted girls were taken from a school in Nigeria on April 15 by Islamic extremists who said they were soldiers. Three weeks later, 276 remain missing. Boko Haram, the militant group responsible for the abduction, said the girls will only be freed after the Nigerian government releases jailed militants.

The president of Nigeria refused international aid in the search for the girls until last week. The girls' plight and the Nigerian government's failure to rescue them has aroused international outrage.

The rally Wednesday wasn't just about the abducted Nigerian girls, said organizer Sue Gemmell. It was about the treatment of women and girls around the world. The crisis in Nigeria is part of a larger story about human trafficking, terrorism and unequal education.

Speakers included local religious leaders, Nigerian immigrants and city officials, including mayor Charlie Hales.

Gemmell said she's never organized such an event before but felt compelled to act.

Anneka Henry is thankful Gemmell did. The 17-year-old is involved with Girl Up, a United Nations campaign that aims to end child marriage and promote equal education.

"It's hard to stomach that there are girls my age being married when I'm just starting to look at colleges and think about what I want for my life," Henry said.

The junior at Pacific Crest Community School tweeted photographs of rally participants holding "Bring Back Our Girls" signs. She said she wants to show the world Portland cares.